Page 42 - The Gonzaga Record 1994
P. 42
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE
Standing: C. Rafferty, B. Horkan, R. Conan, P. Sheahan, D. Fennelly
Seated: Mr John O’Connor, P. Stephenson, I. Brennan, D. Batt, Fr John A. Dunne sj
from the Gonzaga operas. Imagine having What I remember most about Lourdes is
to get up at 6 a.m. or even worse, to be on being greeted by sm iling faces
duty at that time! everywhere we went. Although the work
And to dispel another commonly held of the pilgrimage appears daunting at
misconception about Lourdes, it is not a first, our jobs were made much easier by
quaint, pious little town. It has its own the constant enthusiasm and gratitude of
MacDonald’s and the TGV runs within the invalids. The most difficult task on the
half a kilometre of the grotto. Lourdes is pilgrim age was trying to make
similar to Bray in many respects, not least conversation with some of the shyer and
in its blatant exploitation of tourists and more retiring invalids. Although this is
the vast number of shops selling tacky difficult at first I found it was the most
Lourdes souvenirs and quasi-religious rewarding aspect of the trip. You might
junk. Lourdes also has a phenomenal ask how was this rewarding? I realised
number of hotels, all charging exorbitant that by a few friendly words and a smile
prices. we could cheer some-one up who had
Lourdes is an extremely rewarding been feeling lonely. This is not to suggest
experience and one which I can whole that the invalids didn’t do anything for us.
heartedly recommend to those now They helped us discover qualities in
approaching Sixth Year. I have happy ourselves that we never knew we had. I
memories of Lourdes that will always stay thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from
with me. Like many who have already the Lourdes experience and would
been, I look forward to the chance to go recommend it to anyone.
again.
Brian Horkan (Senior 6A)
Paul Sheahan (Senior 6)
34
Standing: C. Rafferty, B. Horkan, R. Conan, P. Sheahan, D. Fennelly
Seated: Mr John O’Connor, P. Stephenson, I. Brennan, D. Batt, Fr John A. Dunne sj
from the Gonzaga operas. Imagine having What I remember most about Lourdes is
to get up at 6 a.m. or even worse, to be on being greeted by sm iling faces
duty at that time! everywhere we went. Although the work
And to dispel another commonly held of the pilgrimage appears daunting at
misconception about Lourdes, it is not a first, our jobs were made much easier by
quaint, pious little town. It has its own the constant enthusiasm and gratitude of
MacDonald’s and the TGV runs within the invalids. The most difficult task on the
half a kilometre of the grotto. Lourdes is pilgrim age was trying to make
similar to Bray in many respects, not least conversation with some of the shyer and
in its blatant exploitation of tourists and more retiring invalids. Although this is
the vast number of shops selling tacky difficult at first I found it was the most
Lourdes souvenirs and quasi-religious rewarding aspect of the trip. You might
junk. Lourdes also has a phenomenal ask how was this rewarding? I realised
number of hotels, all charging exorbitant that by a few friendly words and a smile
prices. we could cheer some-one up who had
Lourdes is an extremely rewarding been feeling lonely. This is not to suggest
experience and one which I can whole that the invalids didn’t do anything for us.
heartedly recommend to those now They helped us discover qualities in
approaching Sixth Year. I have happy ourselves that we never knew we had. I
memories of Lourdes that will always stay thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from
with me. Like many who have already the Lourdes experience and would
been, I look forward to the chance to go recommend it to anyone.
again.
Brian Horkan (Senior 6A)
Paul Sheahan (Senior 6)
34
